What is the new technique researchers have developed to study fetal kidney development?

Researchers have developed a method to grow miniature human fetal kidneys in test tubes, allowing them to observe the organ's development over an extended period.

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Miniature Kidneys Grown in Labs Unlock Secrets of Fetal Development

Q: How do the new kidney organoids differ from previous attempts?

The new organoids are grown using the same fetal progenitor stem cells that naturally form human kidneys, rather than the less specialized pluripotent stem cells used before. This allows the cells to self-assemble and differentiate into various renal tissues over 6-8 months.

20 Aug

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Summary

Researchers can now observe human fetal kidney development in test tubes
Kidney organoids grown from fetal progenitor cells can survive for 6-8 months
Early hearing aid use may lower dementia risk in those diagnosed before age 70

In a significant scientific advancement, researchers have developed a method to grow miniature human fetal kidneys in test tubes, enabling them to observe the organ's development over an extended period.

The new kidney organoids are grown using the same fetal progenitor stem cells that naturally form human kidneys, rather than the less specialized pluripotent stem cells used in previous attempts. This allows the cells to self-assemble and differentiate into the various renal tissues, including kidney tubules, ducts, and blood vessels, over 6-8 months - simulating the course of a full pregnancy.

The breakthrough could pave the way for studying kidney malformations, isolating genes linked to birth defects, and testing drug toxicity on fetal kidneys. Ultimately, the researchers hope to leverage this technology to develop new regenerative treatments for chronic kidney diseases.

In a separate finding, a new study suggests that early intervention with hearing aids may help lower the risk of dementia in those diagnosed with hearing loss before age 70. The research showed a 61% reduced risk of eventual dementia among participants who started using hearing aids early, compared to those who did not. However, this protective effect was not observed in people diagnosed with hearing problems after age 70.

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